Digital subtraction angiography: the intravenous approach.

With further improvement of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) equipment, and the development of sophisticated soft-ware programs, the intravenous approach again has become an promising diagnostic alternative in certain clinical settings, if the patient's cardiac output is not severely diminished. In many cases an additional arterial study is not necessary. The diagnostic results, advantages and limitations of the intravenous approach in imaging the brachiocephalic, renal and peripheral vessels are discussed.